Property Tax - Frequently Asked Questions

The total tax rate, as determined by the City of Markham, the Region of York, and the Education portion. (Formula - Assessment x Tax Rate = Total Property Taxes)

Therefore, a residential property with an assessed value of $714,500 would pay $5,256.96 for their 2017 property taxes.

City of Markham: $714,500 x 0.184850% = $1,320.75

Region of York: $714,500 x 0.371903% = $2,657.25

Education: $714,500 x 0.179000% = $1,278.96

Total Levy $714,500 x 0.735753% = $5,256.96

How is the tax rate determined? Three levels of government determine the property tax rate: City, Regional and Provincial (education). The City establishes a budget to provide the municipal services and infrastructure for which it is responsible. It calculates a municipal tax rate that will meet the funding requirements identified in the City's budget. The Region of York follows a similar process while the Province of Ontario establishes an education tax rate.

How can I pay my property taxes? There are four convenient payment options:

Online or in person at your bank

By mail or in person at the Markham Civic Centre

What is a Supplementary Tax Bill? A supplementary tax bill is a bill issued by the City, which reflects any additions, or improvements you have made to your property. Owners of newly constructed homes will receive a supplementary tax bill pertaining to the assessed value of their house effective their occupancy (closing) date.

I don’t understand the Tax Bill? For further information or explanation of your tax bill, please refer to the tax bill explanation [PDF].

How much of the year does the interim tax cover? The interim tax bill is a payment on account towards your total yearly taxes. According to legislation, an interim payment can be as much as 50% of your previous year’s total taxes. This interim payment will be deducted from your final bill when it is issued later.

My financial institution’s online/telephone banking requires entry of a 15-digit account code to open and pay my taxes. Where can I find the 15-digit account number? The roll number shown on your tax bill is the account number that you will need to use.

What if I have more questions? For tax questions, please contact the City's Contact Centre at 905-475-4864 or via email at etax@markham.ca.

Property Assessment - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MPAC 2016 Assessment Update? Every four years, MPAC updates the value of every property in the province as part of Ontario’s assessment cycle. The current Assessment Update is taking place in 2016, based on a valuation date of January 1, 2016. These assessments will be applicable to the 2017-2020 property tax years.

Why is it happening this year? The cycle for province-wide Assessment Updates is every four years. The last update was in 2012, meaning the next update is set to occur this year.

What valuation date is being used? The 2016 Assessment Update is based on a legislated valuation date of January 1, 2016.

What is a valuation date? To ensure consistency, MPAC values each property based on a legislated valuation date. For the 2016 Assessment Update, the valuation date is January 1, 2016. MPAC uses the valuation date as the common date for determining what a property could have reasonably sold for if purchased by a willing buyer as of January 1, 2016.

How are the 2016 values being determined? To establish a property’s assessed value, MPAC analyzes sales of comparable properties in the property owner’s area and all the key features that affect market value. This method, called Current Value Assessment, is used by most assessment jurisdictions in North America.

For residential properties, there are five major factors that generally account for 85% of a property’s value:

When will property owners receive their property assessment notice? The residential Notice mailing date for the City of Markham is Monday, June 13, 2016. Non-residential property owners will receive their new assessments starting on October 11, 2016.

How can property owners check the accuracy of their assessment? Property owners should review their Notice, and ask themselves if they could have sold their property for the assessed value as of January 1, 2016. Next, they should visit aboutmyproperty.ca, to learn how and why their property was assessed the way it was, and to compare their assessment with others in their neighborhood.

If property owners have questions, they can call MPAC’s Customer Contact Centre at 1-866-296-MPAC (6722), or 1-877-889-MPAC (6722), or visit a local MPAC office.

What is AboutMyProperty™? AboutMyProperty™ is a secure, online, easy-to-use, self-serve website that allows property owners to learn more about how their property was assessed, see the information MPAC has on file as well as compare it to others in their neighbourhood or area. For more information, please visit https://www.aboutmyproperty.ca/.

What if property owners don’t agree with their assessment? If property owners disagree with MPAC’s assessment or classification of their property, they can file a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) and MPAC will review their assessment, free of charge. The deadline to file an RfR is included on each property owner’s Notice.

There are two ways to file an RfR:

At aboutmyproperty.ca property owners will be able to attach documents, pictures and reports to accompany their RfR, as well as check the status of their request. They may also mail or fax their form to MPAC. Forms are available at mpac.ca.

Write a letter to request an RfR. The letter should include the 19-digit Roll Number found on the Property Assessment Notice, the owner’s full name, address and phone number, and the reasons why their assessment is incorrect, including any information they have to support their request.

Starting in 2016 (for the 2017 property tax year) property owners will have 120 days from the Issue Date of their Property Assessment Notice to file a free RfR, to ensure they receive a fair and consistent review of property assessment concerns. The Issue Date and the property owner’s unique RfR deadline will be included on every Property Assessment Notice.

What happens once a Request for Reconsideration (RfR) has been reviewed? MPAC will send a letter with the results of their review within 180 days (or less) of when the request is received. With more complex scenarios, MPAC may need more time (up to 60 more days) to reconsider a property assessment and complete the review. MPAC will contact the property owner if they need more time. Once a decision has been made, MPAC will mail a letter advising the owner about the outcome of their review.

If the owner disagrees with the outcome, they have the option to file an appeal with the Assessment Review Board (ARB), an independent assessment appeal tribunal of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.

Property owners have 90 days after MPAC has notified them of its decision about the RfR to file an appeal with the ARB. The ARB has its own appeal process. For more information, please contact the ARB at 1- 866-448-2248 or 416-212-6349 or visit http://elto.gov.on.ca/arb/.

What happens at an ARB hearing? At an ARB hearing, the onus is on MPAC to prove the accuracy of the assessed value of a property. MPAC presents comparable sold properties as evidence and shares that information with the property owner prior to the hearing. The property owner presents evidence in support of their position. Ideally, they should select properties that are similar to their property.